The Detroit Tigers failed to secure the series win on Tuesday night, falling to the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park, 6-4. Framber Valdez was not sharp and the offense could not keep up with the visitors after the two teams opened things up with a pair of runs in the first inning.
Climbing the hill for the Motor City Kitties in the series finale is right-hander Keider Montero, who is looking to bounce back from one of his weaker starts last time out. The 26-year-old was tagged for five runs on five hits
(two home runs) and three walks while striking out five San Francisco Giants over six innings of work to earn his seventh loss of the season in a 5-2 final.
Montero saw Cleveland once before this season back on May 19, when he threw five frames of three-run ball on two hits (one home run) and four walks while striking out one. He did not figure in the decision as Detroit fell, 4-3.
For the Guardians, left-hander Parker Messick gets the start on the heels of a superb six-game stretch. Since the start of July, the 25-year-old has put up a 1.77 ERA and 3.61 FIP over his last 35 2/3 innings, allowing 26 hits (four home runs) and nine walks while striking out 30 and tossing a pair of wild pitches. Up until his most recent outing, he had not allowed more than one earned run over that span.
When Messick last saw the Tigers, he also faced Montero, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out seven over five frames. Much like his Detroit counterpart, he did not figure in the decision that day.
Take a look below at how the two match up on paper for their second head-to-head meeting this season.
Detroit Tigers (59-61) vs. Cleveland Guardians (59-62)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 121: RHP Keider Montero (8-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP Parker Messick (9-6, 2.57 ERA)
MONTERO
MESSICK
